Italy stutter to win over Romania

An out-of-sorts Italy claimed a stuttering 24-18 win over Romania in their second World Cup match in Pool C at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille this morning (Australian time).

The Italians, who were crushed 76-14 by New Zealand in their opening game, took an early lead when lock Santiago Dellape barged over the line in the sixth minute.

The Azzurri flattered to deceive, however, and Romania fought back with tries from flanker Alexandru Manta and hooker Marius Tincu at the start of the second half to take a 12-8 lead.

But ill-discipline let the Romanians down and the game turned in Italy's favour when they lost Manta to the sin-bin and conceded a penalty try moments later.

Fly half Ramiro Pez kicked the resulting conversion and three penalties to keep the Italians out of reach, though Romania earned a bonus point for their narrow defeat.

It was another disappointing performance for Italy, who finished a best-ever fourth place in the Six Nations this year.

Italy shipped 38 points in the first 18 minutes against the All Blacks, but they made a better start this time round as they camped in the Romanian 22 early on.

They were rewarded for their pressure when Dellape powered over the line from close range after Pez had pounced on a loose ball following a ruck.

Full-back David Bortolussi missed the conversion from the left touchline, but the he atoned when he kicked a penalty to put Italy 8-0 up after 13 minutes.

Hooker Carlo Festuccia thought he had stretched his side's lead when he sneaked in at the corner after a well-worked peel from the line-out, but was adjudged to have put a foot in touch on the television replay.

Romania refused to fold and kept Italy at bay with some crunching tackles in midfield, while their front five held their own in the set piece.

They grew in confidence as the half wore on with some powerful driving play around the fringes in the remainder of the half.

Romania had their tails up at the start of the second half and got back in the match when Manta was driven over the line by the rest of his pack after a line-out.

Italy were still dusting themselves down when hooker Tincu broke off a maul after a line-out, shrugged off two flailing tackles and burst over the line.

Fly half Ionut Dimofte slotted the conversion to put Romania 12-8 in front, but the Romanians suffered a double blow shortly afterwards, try-scorer Manta being sin-binned for pulling down a maul and his side then conceding a penalty try for dropping a scrum on their own line.

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